Tony Pulis aiming to see off Euro critics

Pulis rounded on critics after Stoke lost 1-0 to Valencia to go out of Europe on a 2-0 aggregate, saying the team he picked was not a weak one.

The 6,500 fans who went to Spain applauded their team off the pitch and chanted their support for Pulis. But the fact that he rested so many key players and took only 15 showed he was thinking about tomorrow’s Premier League game against Swansea.

Pulis now needs a victory to vindicate his controversial decision and end a poor run of results.

Stoke have won only one league match this year and their last victory at the Britannia Stadium came before Christmas against Tottenham. It is a run that doesn’t put Stoke’s future in the Premier League in danger, but beating Swansea would restore confidence ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final at Liverpool.

Peter Crouch and Jon Walters, both left at home for the European game, Ryan Shawcross, Matthew Upson and Matthew Etherington are all expected to be back.

Pulis rounded on critics after Stoke lost 1-0 to Valencia to go out of Europe on a 2-0 aggregate, saying the team he picked was not a weak one

“That was a strong side I played in Valencia,” said Pulis. “The criticism is unfair. I wasn’t playing 18-year-olds. I think Valencia knew they had been in a game. We had good chances against one of the best teams in Spain.

“The line-up I picked showed the depth of squad we have at the club now, something we targeted doing this season because we knew we would have a heavy fixture list with being in the Europa League.

“We have enjoyed Europe and feel we have conducted ourselves well. It hass been an experience for me and the club, something I’ve never done before and the club hasn’t tasted for years.”

Goalkeeper Michel Vorm believes beating Stoke 2-0 at home last October set up Swansea for their new life in the Premier League.

Vorm said: “That was a significant result for us. It showed the rest of the league that we could take on an established team at this level and win. It also gave our players a lot of confidence.”